see Mt. 12. Acd 8-10; Jam 36 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue : And they that love it1 shall eat the fruit thereof. 22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing,—and obtaineth favour of the LORD.2 ch. 12. 4; 15. 14 23 The poor useth intreaties;-but the rich answereth TM roughly. 24 A man that hath friends must show himself friendly :3 And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. ch. 17. 17; 5.9; 2 Sam. 91, 19; & 7: 2 Tim. 1: 16 • John 15 13-15 P ch. 2.6. 19 Better P is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. 2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good;1 And he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. 3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: And his heart fretteth against the LORD. 5 4 'Wealth maketh many friends;-" but the poor is separated from his neighbour. 9 A false witness shall not be unpunished,—and he that speaketh lies shall perish. ⚫ ver. S 10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; Much less for a servant to have rule over princes.8 11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; 12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; 15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. 16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; 11 But he that despiseth his ways shall die. 17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; And that which he hath given will he 12 pay him again. 18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.13 19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: 1 They who indulge and give it license. 2 In consequence of the difficulty of estimating the character of others, a man is especially dependent on Divine Providence in the choice of a wife. See ch. xix. 14. 3 Rather, 'A man of [many] associates will ruin himself; . e. he will be often misplacing his confidence and involving himself in trouble. But there is a true and valuable friendship; and its bonds are closer than those of the nearest relationship. 4 This may be rendered, 'Also in thoughtlessness of soul is no good, and the hasty of feet goeth astray;' and be regarded as condemning rashness of feeling and action. 5 Men often murmur against God as the author of evils which their own folly has brought upon them. 6 Either, He follows their promises. They are gone!' Or, He who follows words, gets them, and nothing else.' The obscurity and irregularity in the form of this proverb, and the variations in the ancient versions suggest the possibility that there may be some omission in our present Hebrew text. 7 Or, luxury. It is not seemly for a person to affect ch. 31. 22: Bec. 11. 6, 7. see refs & D Num. ch. 12: S eb. 24: 4 ch. 16 ; 11. ch. 16. 14, 15; 91: 215 * 2 Sam. 23 4; In 14. 5. Ich 10 1: 12 a mode of life proper to a station for which Providence | has not fitted him. 8 In the despotisms of the East, slaves are often exalted, to the highest rank. 9 This sentiment is beautifully enforced by our Lord in Matt. v. 38-44. 10 Rather 'But.' Fathers may bestow material comforts, but a prudent wife must be sought as the gift of God. See ch. xviii. 22. 11 Or, 'neglects:' is reckless in his behaviour. 12 That is, Jehovah will repay him. God here emdescendingly represents the interests of the poor as they were his own. In a similar manner our Led pledges himself to reward the smallest service rendered to the humblest of his disciples (Matt. x. 42). 13 Or, let not thy soul desire his death; i, e. do not ¦ cause his ruin by failing to inflict punishment: see ch xxiii. 13, 14. 14 We must leave some men to learn self-control by the sufferings which their violent tempers bring upon them. 20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.1 21 y There are many devices in a man's heart; Nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. 22 The desire of a man is his kindness : 2-and a poor man is better than a liar. 23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: he shall not be visited with evil. And he that hath it shall abide satisfied; 24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, 3 And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. 25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: 4 And reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. 26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, Isa son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. 5 A 27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction That causeth to err from the words of knowledge. 28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: And the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. A 29 Judgments are prepared for scorners,' and stripes for the back of fools. 20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: And whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. -9 3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife :— but every fool will be meddling.8 4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold;9 Therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing. 5' Counsel in the heart of man 10 is like deep water; But a man of understanding will draw it out. 6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: 7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. 9 Who can say, I have made 12-I am pure heart clean, 13 my 10 Divers weights, and divers measures, с Deu. 8. 16; Ps. 37. 37. y ch. 16. 1, 9; 2 Sam. 17. 1-23; Job 23. 13; Ps. 33. 10, 11; Is. 14. 26, 27; 46. 10; Ac. 5. 39; Eph. 1. 11: Heb. 6. 17, 18. # 2 Ki. 5. 3; Mk. 14. 8; 2 Cor. 8. 2, 12. a ch. 10. 27; 14. 27; Ps. 91. 14-16; 1 Job 15. 16; 20. 12, 13, 34. 7. eh. 3. 31; 9. 12. ch. 10. 13; 2. 3. mch. 23. 29, 30; see refs. Ge. 9. 21; Is. 27: Dan. ch. 5; Hos. 4. 11. n see refs. ch. 16. 14. • ch. 8, 36; Ge. 13. 7 -9; 1 Ki. 2. 23; Ps. 7.5; 33. 19. Feb. 17. 14; 19. 11. 4 ch. 18. 6; 2 Ki. 14. 8. ch. 10. 4; 19. 24. ch. 19. 15; 24. 34. ch. 18. 4. u ch. 25. 14; 27. 2; 2 Ki. 10, 16, 31 Mt. 6. 2; 19. 20, 22; Lk. 18. 11. r Ps. 12. 1; Jer. 5. 1; Lk. 18. 8. y Pa. 26. 1, 11; 2 Cor. 1. 12. Ps. 37. 26; 112. 2. a ver. 26. b see refs. 1 Kl. 8. 46; Ps. 51. 5; 1 Cor. 4. 4. e ver. 23; eh. 11. 1; 16. 11; Le. 19. 36; Deu. 25. 13, etc.; Mic. 6. 10, 11. d Ge. 21. 19; 2 KL. 6. 17: P. 94. 9; Mt. 7. 16. 12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye,-the LORD hath made even both of them.15 Ex. 4. 11; Ps. 94. 9. 13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread. 14 It is naught! It is naught! saith the buyer: But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth. 1 Literally, 'in thy after life.' 2 Or, 'That which makes a man beloved is kindness.' But perhaps the best rendering is, 'That which a man desires is kindness; and a poor man' (who can only give kindness) 'is better than a man of deceit' (who fails to do what he professes). 3 More properly, The slothful man hideth his hand in the dish; alluding to the Oriental manner of eating. See Matt. xxvi. 23. This is a sarcastic description of slothful habits. 4 Although the hardened sinner may not himself be reclaimed by the severest punishment, others may take warning from his example, and amend; but reproof alone is sufficient for those who are well disposed. 5 Rather, A son who causeth shame and reproach, wasteth his father and chaseth away his mother.' 6 Beware of those who, while professing to instruct you, would draw you away from the plain principles of virtue. 7 Or, 'errs.' Wine not only leads to boisterous inso fch. 6 9 12. 11; 19. 15; 24. 30-34; Ro. 12. 11. 81 Thes. 4. 6. 9 Literally, because of the winter;' which is the time for ploughing. The frost in Palestine is not severe enough to prevent ploughing. 10 Or, a purpose in a man's heart.' This may be difficult to discover; but a man of understanding will often succeed in doing so. 11 A wise and upright king is here supposed. 12 This humiliating inquiry has a response in Eccles. vii. 20, and 1 John i. 8-10. 13 Heb., 'A stone and a stone, an ephah and an ephah.' One set to sell with, and another to buy with, for the purpose of fraud. 14 The elements of character are discernible even in childhood, and indicate what the future life will be. 15 He can therefore hear and see all things, and takes account of our use of these faculties. See refs. 15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. 16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: And take a pledge of him for a strange woman. 17 Bread of deceit2 is sweet to a man; But afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. 18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. 19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: Therefore meddle not with him " that flattereth with his lips.3 20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. 21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; But the end thereof shall not be blessed. 22 "Say not thou, I will recompense evil; But wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. 23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; And a false balance is not good. 24 Man's goings are of the LORD;-how can a man then understand his own way 15 26 A wise king scattereth the wicked,-d and bringeth the wheel over them.7 27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD,8 Searching all the inward parts of the belly. 28 Mercy and truth preserve the king:9-and his throne is upholden by mercy. 29 The glory of young men is their strength: And the beauty of old men is the grey head. 30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil : *So do stripes the inward parts of the belly.10 21'The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: 11 He turneth it whithersoever he will. 2 m Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: But the LORD pondereth the hearts. 3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. 4 P An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing 12 of the wicked, is sin. 5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; But of every one that is hasty 13 only to want. 6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. 14 7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; Because they refuse to do judgment. 8 The way of man is froward and strange : But as for the pure, his work is right. 15 1 Or, according to the present Hebrew text, for strangers. For a creditor to take the garment of a debtor was extremely severe; but not too severe a treatment of one who was so inconsiderate, not to say dishonest, as to become surety for those of whom he knows nothing. 2 That is, what is unlawful, or is gained unlawfully. 3 Rather, Therefore associate not with him who is open of lips; i. e. a gossiping person. 4 Rather, 'shall help.' See Rom. xii. 19. 5 That is, without Divine guidance. See ch. iii. 5, 6. 6 Rather, who rashly utters holy words.' The proverb refers to solemn promises hastily made, and then slowly and reluctantly fulfilled. 7 Rather, 'A wise king winnoweth the wicked, and turneth on them the wheel' (of his threshing-wain). As in threshing the wheel separates the grain from the straw, so a wise king will distinguish between the righteous and the wicked. 8 As a lamp is intended to light the inmost chambers of a house, so the conscious soul of man is designed by God to enlighten his whole nature. 9 By securing the respect and love of the people; and bringing down the blessing of God. Mercy and truth are the characteristics of the King Messiah (Psa, xevi. 2). 10 Or, 'Strokes of a wound are a means of cleansing for the wicked; and stripes, of the inward parts of the body, Solomon is here arguing for the salutary effect of cutward chastisements on the inward dispositions. 11 The complete control which God exercises even over men in the highest stations is illustrated by the mode of irrigating plantations by means of trenches or water courses, into or from which the cultivator turns the water at his pleasure. See note on Deut. xi. 10. 12 Rather, as in the ancient versions, The light of the wicked (that in which they delight) is sin.' 13 Thoughtless haste is here opposed to steady dustry. 14 Or, 'is as a breath chased away, [as] snares of death i. e. such treasures quickly disappear, and ruin those who acquired them. 15 Or, A man of crooked way is guilty; but pure is be whose work is straightforward.' 9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop,1 Than with a brawling woman in a wide house. 10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil : His neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. 11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. 12 13 The righteous man2 wisely considereth the house of the wicked: C But God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. He also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. 14A gift in secret pacifieth anger :--and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. 15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: But destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.3 16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding Shall remain in the congregation of the dead. 17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. 18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the transgressor for the upright. 19 'It is better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and an angry woman. 20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise ;5 But a foolish man spendeth it up. 21 6 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy • Findeth life, righteousness, and honour. 22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. 23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue-keepeth his soul from troubles. 24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name,-who dealeth in proud wrath.7 T 25 The desires of the slothful killeth him ;-for his hands refuse to labour. 26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: But the righteous giveth and spareth not. 27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination:9 How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? 28 A false witness shall perish:-but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. 10 29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: But as for the upright, he directeth 11 his way. 30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. 31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle; a But safety [or, victory] is of the LORD. 22 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, And loving favour 12 rather than [or, favour is better than] silver and gold. 2 The rich and poor meet together:- the LORD is the maker of them all. 3A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: But the simple pass on, and are punished. 1 See note on Deut. xxii. 8. 2 Our translators have supplied the word 'man' in the first clause, and 'God' in the second; but both clauses refer to the same person, the 'righteous;' who is either 'the righteous God,' or 'an upright judge.' 3 Rather, 'The doing of justice is joy to the righteous; but it is destruction to the workers of iniquity.' Comp. Luke xxi. 28. 4 Rather, 'of the spirits of the departed.' See ch. ii. 18; ix. 18; Psa. lxxxviii. 10; Isa. xiv. 9. 5 Rather, There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise.' 6 Rather, 'devours it;' uses it recklessly. 7 This may be rendered, 'As for the proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name; he acts with excess of presumption.' 8 This may refer to his desire of ease, which prevents ch. 15. 8; 1 Ki. 21. 9, 12, Ps. 50. 9; Is. 66. 3; Jer. 6. 20; Am. 5. 22. u ch. 19. 5, 9; Jer. 20. 4-6; 29. 1-4, 1017. reh. 28. 14; 2 KL 1. y ch. 19. 21; Ge. 11. a Ps. 3. 8; 68. 20. b Ecc. 7. 1. ech. 29. 13; 1 Cor. 12. 20, 21. d eh. 14. 31; Job 31. 15. e ch. 14. 15, 16; 27. 12; Ex. 9. 20, 21; 1 Thes. 5. 2-6; Heb. 11. 7. his working; or it may mean, that his desires, his lusts, which he has not sufficient industry to gratify, torment him to death. 9 See note on ch. xv. 8. The next clause refers to an attempt to sanctify or to cover some wicked design by attention to ritual observances. 10 Or, shall speak for ever.' If a man attends to a matter and states truly what he has heard, his testimony shall not be refuted, and therefore shall always be highly regarded. 11 Or, he shall establish his way;' i. e. shall obtain success. What the wicked hope to get by effrontery, uprightness secures by God's favour. 12 That is, the good will of others. This is preferable to mere wealth, because the Creator of all has so mingled together rich and poor as to make all men dependent on each other's sympathy and friendship: see ver. 2. 4 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honour, and life. 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: 6 Train up a child in the way he should go :2 7 The rich ruleth over the poor,-and 'the borrower is servant to the lender. 3 8 m He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: " And the rod of his anger1 shall fail. 9. He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; For he giveth of his bread to the poor. 10 Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; 11 He that loveth pureness of heart, For the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend. 12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, And he overthroweth the words of the transgressor." 14 The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: "He that is abhorreds of the LORD shall fall therein. 15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; But the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. 16 He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, 17 PART III. Introductory exhortation; moral precepts and cautions. BOW down thine ear, and hear THE WORDS OF THE WISE,9 18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; They shall withal be fitted in thy lips. 10 19 That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 20 Have not I written to thee excellent things-in counsels and knowledge, 11 22 3 d That thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee? 12 23 For the LORD will plead their cause, 24 1 Rather, 'The reward of humility;' as in Psa. xix. 11. 3 He is obliged to consult his creditor's will and con- 5 Or, He that loveth pureness of heart [and] grace of 6 Or, of the treacherous.' 7 Imagining difficulties, and inventing ridiculous ex- 8 Or, with whom the Lord is angry.' Comp. Josh. 9 Vers. 17-21 form an introduction to the third divi- thy soul. 16 and in ch. xxiv. 23, it appears that the proverbs which 10 Or, '[if] they be fitted together upon thy lips;' is 11 Or, 'Have not I written to thee heretofore, con- 12 Or, 'To teach thee truth, even words of faithfulness; 13 This may mean either, Do not take advantage of 14 That is, in a court of law: see note on Gen. xxii. 17. 16 Or, and take to thyself a snare;' i. e. lest thou |